Chris Potter: Way Above Ground with Underground

Saxophonist Chris Potter, at age 38, has long been fast-tracked to the head of his class to become regarded as one of the strongest players on the scene. It doesn’t seem that long ago that he was first making waves on recordings, and then became part of the superb Dave Holland quintet, where his strengths were put on display all over the globe.

Fact is, Potter has earned his stripes every step of the way. He’s made his bones with some of the greats in the art form, all along the way developing his thing. It can be heard in his recordings over time. Growth. Maturity. Strength. It’s evident, and other musicians are aware of it. That’s why his phone is always ringing. That’s why, for example, at the jazz festival in Newport, R.I., last summer he jumped from playing with Holland’s band to his own band’s gig, to adding fire and punch to Herbie Hancock’s set of music. No matter what setting, Potter brings something substantive to the table.